But they are directing their anger less at Mr. Obama than at the man
who works down the hall from him. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, they
say, is the prime obstacle to the changes they thought Mr. Obama's
election would bring.

The friction was laid bare in August when Mr. Emanuel showed up at a
weekly strategy session featuring liberal groups and White House aides.
Some attendees said they were planning to air ads attacking
conservative Democrats who were balking at Mr. Obama's health-care
overhaul.